Donald Lensing

Donald Lensing, age 91, of Protivin, IA, died on Monday, Nov. 2, 2020, at his home.

Donald (Don) B. Lensing, son of John and Regina (Tierney) Lensing of Lawler, Iowa was born on Aug. 12, 1929. Don attended country school then graduated from Lawler in 1948. Don was united in marriage to Norma Taylor on Nov. 8, 1950 at St. Wenceslaus Church in Spillville, Iowa. Don and Norma were blessed with 70 wonderful years together.

Don entered the U.S. Army on Feb. 6, 1951 and served his country for two years in the Korean War. He was stationed at Fort Campbell, Kentucky where Norma was glad to be able to join him. After his discharge from the military, Don and Norma returned to Iowa and started farming south of Protivin. Don and Norma built a new home and moved to Protivin in 1960 where they continue to reside today. Don worked for Oscar Mayer for twenty years, then went on his own with his son Mike starting Lensing Livestock. In 1985 they built The Mint, a restaurant/tavern in Protivin and operated the business for nine and half years. During these years Don served on the town council for two years before becoming Mayor of the town for ten years. Don was a member of American Legion Post 605 in Protivin for fifty years.

Don enjoyed fishing, turtle fishing, farming, socializing, telling stories, traveling and spending time with family and friends. He said you could never have enough friends and would leave you with the phrase “Keep smiling.”

Don is survived by wife Norma and their four children: Michael (Theresa) Lensing of Protivin, IA; David Lensing (special friend, Sharon Holt) of Waukon, IA; Diane Reicks of Lawler, IA; and Mary (Rich) Dreckman of Harpers Ferry, IA; his two brothers: Gerald (Irene) Lensing of Lawler, IA; Clair Lensing (Mary El) of Marion, IA; his brother-in-law Alvin Taylor of Cresco, IA; his sister-in-law Kay (Joe) Schmitt of Sarasota, FL; his grandchildren, Marcia (Jarret) Sands of Noblesville, IN; Carol (Jeff) Korsmo of Cresco, IA; Donna (Mike) Vsetecka of Fort Atkinson, IA; Jennifer Hart of Waterloo, IA; Brian (Tonya) Reicks of Lawler, IA; Paula (Casey) Ryan of St. Paul, NE; Barry (Amanda) Reicks of Lawler, IA; Austin (Katelyn) Reicks of Cresco, IA; Kyle Dreckman of Waterville, IA; Chelsey Dreckman of Iowa City, IA; and great grandchildren: Ethan, Jake, Cade, Owen, Jackson, Morgan, Jalila, Jalen, Tyler, Gracie, Grady, Reed, Etta, Lucas, Jaila, Amelia, and Lydia.

Don is preceded in death by his parents John and Regina Lensing, father-in-law and mother-in-law Fred and Francis Taylor, brother-in-law and sister-in-law Leonard and Marcella Svestka, sister-in-law Beatrice Taylor, son-in-law Roger Reicks, and great grandson Matthew Vsetecka.